Dispenser



A. HEINZ ET AL Nov. 3, 1953 DISPENSER Filed Dec. 22 1952 IN VEN TORS Patented Nov. 3, 1953 DISPENSER Alfred Heinz, Union, and Julius Hoegermeyer,

Irvington, N. J., said Heinz Hoegermeyer assignor to said Application December 22, 1952, Serial No. 327,369 3 Claims. (01.22.2-545) This invention relates to a dispensing container and particularly to a device for storing and dispensing hygroscopic granular materials such as salt.

Difficulties encountered with the use of salt and other hygroscopic granular material dispensers are generally twofold, first, due to the salt having a high aiiinity for water or moisture, excessive moisture is absorbed from the air thereby causing the granules to stick together and to clog the dispensing holes; secondly, it is difilcult to regulate the amount of salt dispensed to effect a uniform distribution over a desired area.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dispensing container for hygroscopic granular materials wherein substantially no moisture is absorbed by the hygroscopic materials from the am Another object of the invention is to so construct the dispensing member that the flow of the granular material can be regulated and dispensed uniformly over a desired area.

According to the general features of the invention, these objects are attained by providing a novel dispensing cap and a tapered insert therefor fixed to the top of a container or receptacle, the cap being provided with a single small opening through which salt is dispensed from the container after passing through one or more small closed spiral pathways which are formed by spiral grooves in the external surface of the tapered insert cooperating with the internal surface of the cap which is also tapered and which makes intimate contact with the external surface of the insert. Moisture is substantially prevented from entering the container due to the resistance to the moisture in the air offered by the single opening in the cap and the novel spiral pathways. Due to the geometry of the spiral pathways through which the salt must travel, a horizontal, circular motion is needed to dispense the salt whereby an even distribution of the material over the desired area is assured. The volume of salt dispensed is controlled by varying this horizontal, circular motion.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the attached drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser according to the invention showing the cap in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the cap;

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are top plan, side elevation and bottom plan views, respectively, of the cap insert.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 discloses a dispenser having a cap I with a single dispensing hole 2 centrally located in its top surface (Fig. 2) and having a threaded portion 3 for attaching the cap to a threaded portion of the neck of a container 4 (of any desired shape and size). A tapered insert 5 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5), which has two spiral grooves 6 and l spaced substantially degrees apart on its conical surface, is provided for the cap. The external surface of the insert and the internal surface of the cap being so designed that when the insert 5 is placed within the cap and the cap is screwed onto the container 4, the container will force insert 5 into the cap thus effecting a seal except for the two spiral pathways 6 and I. A rectangular slot 8 is provided in the base of the insert 5 to facilitate the entry of salt into the spiral ducts when the dispenser is turned upside down.

The cap I and insert 5 are preferably molded of plastic but the invention is not meant to be limited to this fabrication and material mentioned since the invention resides in the structural design of the dispenser.

If the shaker is turned upside down and held stationary, the force of gravity upon the salt is insuflicient to overcome the frictional resistance offered by the spiral pathways and passage of salt is effectively prevented. As the salt shaker is moved in a small horizontal, circular path, the centrifugal force thus generated overcomes the horizontal component of the spiral pathway resistance and salt is forced through the spiral ducts and the opening 2. This motion effects a uniform distribution of salt over the desired area.

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for dispensing granular material comprising a container for the material having an open end, a cap secured to the open end thereof, said cap having a single discharge opening and being provided with an insert cooperating therewith to provide at least one closed spiral discharge path for the material, interconnecting the container and the discharge opening.

2. A dispensing container for hygroscopic granular materials comprising a container having an open end, a dispensing cap having a single disin the top thereof, the internal surface of the cap having a general tapered form, an insert for the cap having an external general tapered form for making intimate contact with the internal surface of the cap, the insert having a pair of spiral grooves provided in the external surface thereof, the grooves and the internal surface of the cap cooperating to form closed spiral pathways from the container to the discharge opening in the cap, and means for securing the cap to the said open end and for holding the insert in intimate contact with the cap.

3. A dispensing container for hygroscopic granular materials comprising a container having an open end, a dispensing cap having a single discharge opening in the top thereof, the internal surface of the cap having a general tapered form, a solid insert for the cap having an external general tapered form for making intimate contact with the internal surface charge opening of the cap, the insert 20 having a pair of spiral grooves provided in the external surface thereof, the grooves and the internal surface of the cap cooperating to form closed spiral pathways from the container to the discharge opening in the cap, means for securing the cap to the said open end and for holding the insert in intimate contact with the cap, and a slot inter-connecting the two spiral grooves on one end of the insert to facilitate the entry of material into the spiral pathways from the container.

ALFRED HEINZ.

JULIUS HOEGERMEYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 919,483 Snediker Apr. 2'7, 1909 924,959 Bennett June 15, 1909 

